Children with Medical Handicaps (CMH)

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Do you have a child or know of a child with a special health care need?
If you answered yes to the above question, the CMH Program may be able to help. CMH, the program for Children with Medical Handicaps, is a health care program in the Ohio Department of Health. CMH links families of children with special needs to a network of quality providers and helps families obtain payment for the services their child needs.

CMH supports the medical home for children with special health care needs. A medical home is a way to provide high quality health care that is:
  • -Family-centered
  • -Accessible
  • -Continuous
  • -Comprehensive
  • -Coordinated
  • -Compassionate
  • -Culturally competent
Most importantly, a medical home is a partnership between the doctor and the child's family. CMH works with doctors and other health care providers to ensure that every child with a special health care need will have a medical home.
What are special health care needs?
Special health care needs may be caused by a condition a child is born with or develops later.

Which children are eligible for CMH?
Those who are:
  • Age 0-23
  • Permanent residents of Ohio
  • Under the care of a CMH-approved doctor (M.D. or D.O.) and who have or may have a chronic medical condition
* Financial eligibility is required for the Treatment Program only.

What conditions are eligible for CMH?
Some of the eligible conditions are:
  • AIDS
  • Cancer
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Chronic lung disease
  • Cleft lip/palate
  • Congenital heart disease
  • Cystic fibrosis
  • Diabetes
  • Hearing loss
  • Hemophilia
  • Juvenile arthritis
  • Metabolic disorders
  • Scoliosis
  • Severe vision disorders
  • Sickle cell disease
  • Spina bifida​
Questions? Please contact:
(330) 343-5555, ext. 1240
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How is a child enrolled in the CMH program?
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The parent/guardian needs to fill out and sign the medical application form and then either email or fax the form to lkimble@tchdnow.org or via fax at 330-343-1601 to the attention of the CMH Nurse. The parent or legal guardian (or client, if 18 years of age or older) and the physician must sign the release of information and consent on the medical application form before CMH can act on the application. Please find the application form links below.

We know this process can be confusing. If you need help, please reach out to us at 330-343-5555, ext. 1240 or via the above listed email address.
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